Sketchy Circles

Jenn created this super fun sketch for Try Stampin' on Tuesday this week and I just had to find time to play along.   It just screamed Circle Circus to me and I am a bit in love with that set lately.  :)

Hopefully it was okay to take a few liberties with the sketch.  My computer was off in my stamp room and I was too impatient to wait on it to boot up.  (It's seriously a dinosaur!)  I knew I wanted to flip it, but I didn't do it with all the elements in the right spot.   I still think it turned out pretty fun.   I'm trying my best to use up some of those soon to retire in colors!  :)

On another note, look what I got my baby girl today!  I love it!  

FM52: Fan Favorite!

So here is the "Mashup" Challenge :

1. Make a project using "Colorful Twine".
2. Or Make a project featuring "Kites".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a project with " Kites and Colorful Twine".

This week at the Friday Mashup is the challenge from the fan favorite contest!   I love the challenge because it gave me an excuse to use two of my favorites, Send Me Soaring and baker's twine!  

I used a combination from the awesome Color Coach for this one!   I loved that it had a blue for the sky and a green for the grass! Perfect, right?!   I just love this card!    My friend Marla helped me again on this one and I think it turned out great.  It's one of my favorites that I've made in a while actually.  

I hope you'll find time to join us!  It's a super fun challenge whether you mash it up or not!  

FMS28: Three Buttons

Lesley has another fun sketch for everyone at Freshly Made Sketches this week.   I know one of my blogging friends, LeAnne, will appreciate at she loves sketches and cards with any element of 3 in them!  :)

After seeing this awesome card by the super-talented Jenn, I just had to pull out Circle Circus and use it this week.   She's so inspiring, so be sure to go check out her blog.  I've been wanting to make some cards for younger girls, but I don't seem to have any stamps that work for that!   I decided to try a girly card for this one and I hope the brown and pink work for that.   I do have to say thank you to my friends Marla  and Mindy who have been so helpful to me lately when I'm struggling with my cards. They are always up for offering suggestions and encouragement and I love them.   Demo sisters are the best!  

This was one of those cards where lots of things go wrong, but I still like how it turned out.   I used Early Espresso for the card stock and buttons, but I somehow grabbed Chocolate Chip ink for the stamping part.   Does it show too much?   I was exhausted and done that day, so I decided to just let it go.  I also stamped a nice Chocolate Chip circle right in the middle of my Blushing Bride ink pad.   Have you done that?   I'm trying to figure out if it will recover or if I should get a new one.   I love that color and plan to use it even when it retires.   

I hope you're having a wonderful week.  I finally felt rested enough to go see The Hunger Games.   I fell in love with the books last year and was so excited for the movie.   No other plans for the week though.    Next week has so much going on that I'll take a restful rest of this week.   I have my April doctor's appointment complete with the 1 hour glucose test on Monday.  Fun, huh?   I hope to go to Babies R Us and Target to finish our registries afterwards.  Then there's stamp club on Friday and Easter on Sunday.  Busy, busy!   My mom is coming down on April 24th, so lots of cleaning to do before then too!

FM51: Quilting

 

So here is the "Mashup" Challenge :

1. Make a project using the "Quilted Cards Technique".
2. Or Make a project using "something that's been forgotten (sitting in your stash forever)".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a "Quilted card with something you've forgotten about".

The challenge at the Friday Mashup this week is to make a Quilt Card or use something neglected from your stash.  I tried mashing it up with my quilted heart and using Peach Parfait and a sentiment that hasn't been inked in ages.  Hopefully I made it.   Be sure to go see the other beautiful projects from the other design team members! 

I'm keeping this short and sweet today.  It has not been a good day creatively for me and I done trying for now.  I've cried over both cards I've tried making and am ready for a break.  Thank goodness March Madness resumes tonight.  Basketball makes me happy.  

Little Bit of Laila

It's been a bit since I posted anything about Miss Laila, so I thought I'd share a few pictures today.  :)

Here's another image from our 21 week ultrasound.   She really liked to show off her hands and feet.  :)

Gray clothes hamper!   Score!  I was so happy to find this, but bummed that I didn't get the matching trash can.   Since it was at Home Goods, waiting wasn't a good idea.  It was gone when I went back this week. 

One of the cute outfits my mom found at her local thrift store.  Gotta love a good deal! 

Of course I had to pick her up a little something at the thirty-one party I went to.  :)

Jason says she's spoiled already.  Here's the top of her closet.  Most of these were Eli's that he never got old enough to play with, so I hope they will finally get used.   

That's about it for now.  I would love some advice on a project I'm wanting to start.  I bought the letters to put her name on the wall and I really want to cover them in designer paper.   If anyone has any suggestions of yellow and gray papers that might work, let me know!   I need to browse through my SU papers and maybe some images of retired papers.   :)    

Have a wonderful Thursday!

FMS27: Butterflies

 

Here we go again!  Time for another challenging sketch from Freshly Made Sketches!   Lesley totally threw me for a loop with this one.  I have a second card I started on my desk for this one because I wasn't sure the first one really worked.  Of course I got lazy and distracted, so it's still sitting there in pieces.   I'll try to finish it up and post it this week.   Here's the first one though:

I had some butterflies left over from our technique project at club, so I decided to put them to use on this card.  I thought they would work okay for the circular elements.   I tried to add a bit of dimension to them by curling up the wings a bit and added a solid punched one behind them.  To add some interest to the background, I used the diagonal plate for my Simply Scored board.   I'll admit that it isn't my favorite card and I could tell from Jason's reaction that it wasn't his either.  LOL   They all can't be winners, right?  :)  

I hope you'll join us this week and show us just what this sketch can do! 

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

Oh my goodness!  I'm so excited!!!!!!  Don't you love when you wake up in the morning to awesome news?  I do and that happened today!   Remember this card?

This morning I found out that Shellie picked it as a winner for her Sale-A-Bration Creative Challenge!   I'm so excited!!!!!    I get to pick a free stamp set from the current catalog, so I know what I'll be doing today!  Jason already asks me all the time if I have the catalog memorized...I really might after today! 

Now I hope I don't wake up to find out I dreamed up all this!   :)   

FM50: Faux Pearls

 

1. Make a project using the "Sketch".
2. Or Make a project using the "Faux Mother of Pearl Technique".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a "project using the Faux Mother of Pearl Technique & the Sketch.

Time for a new challenge from The Friday Mashup!   Heidi is hosting this week and has a great challenge with the awesome sketch pictured above along with a fun technique.  I had a great time making my card and I bet you will too if you'll play along!  

There's those darn Itty Bitty flowers again!  I told you I needed an intervention.  :)   I also used a much neglected set, Best Friends Forever.   It was a freebie from Convention and not one I'd normally buy.  When I do use it I always love the cards, so I'm thinking I need to use it more often.  

Stamps:  Best Friends Forever, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink:  Soft Suede, Early Espresso

Paper:  Early Espresso, Soft Suede, So Saffron, Glossy White, Neutrals DSP stack

Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot, Scallop Circles #2 die, 3 inch circle die, Tasteful Trim die, Itty Bitty punch pack, Modern Label punch, Word Window punch, Champagne Shimmer Paint, basic pearls, sponges

Before I go, one other announcement and it's an exciting one!   To celebrate the 50th challenge, The Friday Mashup is having a Blog Candy Blowout!   Each of the design team members has some candy on their blog that's up for grabs!    To win, you'll need to do the following:

1.  Play along with the challenge!  

2.  Visit and comment on each of the DT member's blog.

3.  Live in either the US or Canada. 

We will be drawing winners on Thursday, March 22nd.   Each blog will have a unique winner to spread the love around.  :)    Here's what I'll be giving away from my blog:

Designer Frames Embossing Folders!  Woot! 

FMS26: Happy Anniversary

 

Time for another fun sketch from Freshly Made Sketches!   This week's sketch was designed by one of my favorite people to stalk, Jen Mitchell.  She never fails to amaze me with her gorgeous work, so be sure to stop by and visit her blog!

I'm still struggling with my stamping, but seeing how my anniversary was yesterday, I wanted to make a masculine card for my Jason.  Nobody deserves appreciation more than that man.  How he could put up with me for eight years and counting I'll never understand!   Our years together haven't been easy, losing both his parents and our son, but I have hopes that this year will bring a lot of joy to our lives when little Laila arrives. 

Here's my no frills card that I made for him.   I wanted to keep it simple as he's not into anything that's remotely vintage or distressed; that worked perfectly for the Freshly Made idea of clean cards!   I pulled out a new-to-me set, Always for this one.  I knew I had to put a bird on my card since the skit from Portlandia is one of our little inside jokes that we laugh about often.  Nothing says I love you like putting a bird on it!  :)  I think those things we like to laugh about keep us sane sometimes.  

I'll share one more funny story before I sign off this post.  I don't know how many of you watch The Big Bang Theory, but last week's episode was hilarious!  The guys had a whip app on their phones that they used when the others gave in to their girlfriends.   It was awesome!   On Friday while Jason was at work, I found that app and had it ready to go when he came home that night.  Well, guess who else had the same idea?!   I was happy to win though; I got the first crack of the whip!  :)  It was funny to see how alike we are and how we just know the other person so well.  I truly love that man with all my heart!  (and yes, we are both nerds!)   

Stamps:  Always
Ink:  Island Indigo, Pool Party, Early Espresso

Paper:  Naturals White, Island Indigo, Pool Party, Early Espresso

Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot, Scallop Square Duo die, Square Lattice embossing folder, Island Indigo baker's twine, Neutrals buttons

FMS25: The Reject

I think I promised to show the first card I made with this sketch last week and of course I forgot.  I'm going to blame that one on Laila and the pollen.  :)   I'm starting to think that I'll never wake up without congestion and/or a headache ever again.   Thank goodness there's that generic Tylenol Sinus at Target.   I'm not sure why we can't find the real stuff, but the knock-off seems to work okay for now.   

Here's the mess.  I'm not sure why I didn't end up liking it, maybe too much of striped dsp?  Or too many bright colors?   The more I looked at it, the more I wanted to hide it.  :)    Maybe someone will enjoy it, we'll see.  

colourQ 127: Flowery Anniversary

Believe it or not, I might actually make the colourQ deadline today!  :)   I started this card last night and didn't get to finish before my honey made it home from work.   I was trying to do some of the Virtual Stamp Night challenges over on Splitcoast Stampers and the second one was to make a card using a heart.   That ended up being WAY more difficult than I thought it would be since we are now past Valentine's Day.  My anniversary is in 2 days, so I figured hearts would work for that occasion.  Of course I'll make Jason a more masculine card than this one.  :)

Those celery brads look HUGE in the picture, but I didn't think they looked THAT bad when I made it.  Hmmm...  maybe I need some dainty pearls instead.  I am currently obsessed with the Itty Bitty Punch Pack, so you guys might want to start planning an intervention.   Maybe it's spring making me want to use cute little flowers?   This was my first time using Certainly Celery...can you believe that?   I am just not a big subtles fan, so they tend to be neglected in my stamp room.  It wasn't as painful as the Regal Rose, so maybe I'll give it another shot soon. 

Have a wonderful Sunday!   It's rainy here, but college basketball and pizza are on the agenda and I'm just fine with that.  Go Kentucky!  

FM49: Chocolate Bunny

So here is the "Mashup" Challenge :

1. Make a project using the "colors Green & Yellow".
2. Or Make a "3-D project that's a Basket or a Treat Pouch".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a "Treat Basket/Pouch using the colors Green & Yellow".

I'm running behind this week, so I apologize for getting my post up so late today.   :(   It has been a week full of allergies, sinus headaches, and some sadness as I've worked on cleaning out Eli's room.   All that combined hasn't left me in the mood to stamp at all.   I did treat myself to some Starburst Jelly Beans and they helped me get my card made today.   

Kim is the hostess this week for a fun Mashup challenge.   I am out of room to store any 3-D type items, so I didn't go for the mashup this week.  Not having people to give those kind of projects to really makes them pile up pretty fast on my bookshelf!  Instead, I used the yellow and green to make a cute Easter card.  I got the Chocolate Bunny stamp from my friend Ann ages ago and finally inked him up today.   I love him just as much as I thought I would!  I can't wait to make more cards with him.  

I was inspired by this week's sketch at Create with Connie and Mary and modified it just a bit to work with my bunny.  I truly want to work on doing more clean-AND-simple cards but find them so difficult to pull off.  I'm hoping great sketches like that will assist me in my goal, so I am sure you will see this one again.   :)

Stamps:  Chocolate Bunny, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Versamark, Old Olive

Paper:  Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Brights DSP stack

Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, 2 1/2 circle punch, Itty Bitty punch pack, heat tool, clear embossing powder, Basic Pearls

FMS meets HSS

Time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches!  The super funny Linda Callahan is our hostess and sketch designer this week.  She definitely challenged me with this one.  I made two cards and am still not loving either one of them.   I think the allergy/sinus headaches I've been battling have really done a number on my stampin' mojo.   I stocked up on some new medicines today, so fingers crossed that they work.   I've learned that headaches and pregnancy are not friends; the best (aka helpful) medicines are all off-limits!

Here's the card that I squeaked out tonight using the colors from this week's Hand Stamped Sentiments challenge:

PSE always does funky things with Soft Suede for some reason, but it doesn't look so green in person.  It isn't what I envisioned in my head, but I didn't feel like going back and redoing it tonight.   A hot shower and a decaf chai tea latte are calling my name instead.  Such dedication, huh?  :)

Stamps:  Button Buddies, Petite Pairs

Ink:  Real Red

Paper:  Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Very Vanilla, Neutral DSP stack

Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot, Perfect Polka dots and Stripes embossing folders, circle punches, scallop circle punch, Itty Bitty punch pack, Crumb Cake taffeta ribbon, Brights buttons, White Baker's Twine, basic pearls

I'll share the first card I made with the sketch on Thursday.  :)

Mailable Monday!

My friend Mindy has a weekly blog feature she calls Mailable Monday and I love the idea of it!  The trick is to keep the cards flat without a lot of embellishments so that you can quickly throw them in the mail with a regular stamp.   If you hate going to the post office as much as me, then this idea is perfect!   I pulled out my Distressing Essentials kit to play with and here's what I came up with.   Now I wanted to stick a ton of brads on it and maybe a button, but that defeats the purpose!    I did have fun playing with the kit, so I think it might be our featured technique at stamp club in April.   Distressing is such a great way to get those frustrations out!  :)  

Stamps:  The Open Sea (still available as a write-in)

Ink:  Soft Suede, Tea Stain distress ink

Paper:  Soft Suede, Very Vanilla (textured and normal)

Tools/Accessories:  Distressing Essentials kit, Cutter Kit, Color Spritzer tool, Big Shot, Tasteful Trim die, Linen Thread

Nursery Update!

Just a quick update!   I think we are going with Essential Gray from Sherwin Williams.  :)  I didn't find a yellow that I liked at all.   Now we just need to find some pretty yellow accessories to brighten things up.  If you happen to see curtains, a crib skirt, or any wall decorations that look like they'd match let me know!

Now I'm feeling inspired to make another yellow/gray card!  

Club Card #2: More Butterflies!

Shockingly, I found out this week that there are some people out there who don't like purple!   Now pink I can understand, but purple?!  It's the best color ever and works so beautifully with green...how can you NOT like it?!   Anyway, I still love my friends and try to block out that they are purple haters.   :)    For our club technique this month, we did the baby wipe technique.  It was the first time I've tried it and I really love the results. My husband told me they looked like tie-dye butterflies, which is true I guess.  lol  I thought the two purples and green worked beautifully together!   This was also a new stamp set for me and I enjoyed working with it.   I used this card as the inspiration for mine; I'm just not brave enough to use all that white space yet!  

Stamps:  Butterfly Prints

Ink:  Concord Crush, Wisteria Wonder, Pear Pizzazz

Paper:  Concord Crush, Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White, Cheerful Treat hostess DSP

Tools/Accessories:  Butterfly punch, Scallop Border punch, Itty Bitty punch pack, basic pearls, baby wipe

Today we are heading to the paint store to get some samples for Laila's room!   We've narrowed it down to 3 grays and I'm also getting one yellow.  We didn't find any yellows from the swatches that worked, so I'm taking her quilt along with me to have them match it.  I'll try to post after we get the colors on the wall.   

Club Sketch #3

Here's the last sample I made up to show off our club sketch for this month.   This one is the flipped and stepped-up version.  I'm pretty sure if I pulled this one to make at club there would be a riot over all the fussy cutting!  :)    It didn't start out of that, but it was one of those projects where I kept adding more and more until it got a bit out of hand!  

What are we going to do when Sale-a-bration ends and we have to put up this gorgeous paper?!  

Stamps:   Vintage Vogue, Petite Pairs

Ink: Pool Party, Lucky Limeade

Paper:  Pool Party, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White, Everyday Enchantment DSP

Tools/Accessories:  In Color brads, Basic Pearls, Everyday Enchantment ribbon/brad pack, oval punch

FM48: Lucky Clover

So here is the "Mashup" Challenge :

1. Make a project for "St. Patrick's Day".
2. Or Make a project using "at least 2 Punches".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a project for "St. Patrick's Day using your Punches".

This week is my week to host the challenge at the Friday Mashup!   We've finally made it to March, so I thought it was a perfect time for a St. Patty's Day project.  Who doesn't love shamrocks?!   That happens to be my brother's birthday, so we had Watergate Salad instead of cake growing up.  I guess he loves the color green!  

This is another card that uses our March club sketch.   I wanted to show the ladies that you can make tons of different cards for all occasions with just one sketch.   I used a lot of the awesome Sale-a-bration goodies again for this one.   I love that stuff!  I honestly don't know what I'd do without Teeny Tiny Wishes!  It saves me every time I need a holiday sentiment.  :)  

Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink:  Lucky Limeade

Paper:  Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Whisper White, Everyday Enchantment DSP (SAB)

Tools/Accessories:  Heart to Heart punch, Scallop border punch, Everyday Enchantment Ribbon/Brad bundle

Come play along with us this week!

Simply Scored Diagonal Plate

It's finally here!  Customers can now order the Simple Scored Diagonal Plate to add to their Simply Scored Tool!   Exciting, right?  It's perfect for making envelopes, boxes, or to add some interest to your cards!  

The item number is 125586 and it is only $11.95. 

Product Features

• Sits on top of the Simply Scored base
• Held securely in place by rubber pads on back of the plate
• Has etched grooves every 1/8"
• Can score any size card stock up to 12" x 12"
• Includes instructions for creating common envelope sizes
• Coordinating products included
  • Simply Scored (item 122334)
  • Simply Scored Place Markers (item 125625)
  • Simply Scored Stylus (item 125624)
  • Bone Folder (item 102300)

Check out the video below for more information: